Usyk Faces Kickboxer in Egypt
Undefeated heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC title against renowned kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt this May. The bout represents a rare crossover between elite boxing and kickboxing and is set to generate global attention. This marks an unusual opponent choice for Usyk's next title defense.
This fight marks a voluntary defense for Usyk, who holds an undefeated professional record of 24 wins and 0 losses. The Ukrainian became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000 and is the first male boxer to be a three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era. His opponent, Rico Verhoeven, is a titan in the world of kickboxing, nicknamed the "King of Kickboxing." The 36-year-old Dutchman held the Glory heavyweight title for over a decade, defending it a record 13 times, and amassed a kickboxing record of 66 wins and 10 losses before vacating the title to pursue this new challenge. Despite his combat sports pedigree, Verhoeven's professional boxing experience is minimal. He has had only one professional boxing match, which he won by knockout back in 2014. This bout represents a significant step up in competition against one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. The matchup, billed as "Glory in Giza," is set to take place at the historic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23, 2026. The choice of a kickboxer for a title defense came after other potential bouts, including one with Deontay Wilder, did not materialize. This voluntary defense is a prelude to Usyk's required obligations. The WBC has already ordered that the winner must next face the mandatory challenger, undefeated German heavyweight Agit Kabayel.
